Cardiovascular disease

Analysis and Comment (14)

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One in four Australians take fish oil but the latest evidence shows it won’t improve the health of your heart. Flickr/wine me up

Monday’s medical myth: fish oil is good for heart health

By Michael Vagg, Barwon Health

Did you hold your nose and take your daily dose of fish oil this morning? Or perhaps you opted for an odour-free capsule? Well, you’re not alone. Around one in four Australians take fish oil supplements…
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Cardiovascular disease accounts for more than 40% of all female deaths. Nina Matthews

Ladykiller: the hidden danger to women’s health

By Caleb Ferguson, University of Technology, Sydney; Michelle DiGiacomo, University of Technology, Sydney, and Patricia Davidson, University of Technology, Sydney

Cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer of women in Australia. It accounts for more than 40% of all female deaths, which means it kills more Australian women than breast cancer and lung cancer combined…
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Energy drinks are largely marketed to youths and young adults. hectore/Flickr

Energy drinks: a trigger for heart attacks and stroke?

By Chris Semsarian

When a 17-year-old girl, with a potentially life-threatening heart disorder, recently presented to me with an abnormally fast and irregular heart rhythm, I wondered how the natural history of her disease…
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Approximately 53,000 people are affected by stroke each year, at the cost of $1.3 billion. Axel Bührmann

Getting to the heart of the matter on stroke

By Caleb Ferguson, University of Technology, Sydney and Patricia Davidson, University of Technology, Sydney

A silent killer is stalking many families across Australia, taking victims with little notice while driving a black-hole in the country’s health budget. But a simple pulse check may be enough to detect…
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The value of medical research extends beyond pure economics. Flickr/left hand

How does medical research deliver value for money?

By Douglas Hilton, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute

The Federal Government’s main medical research funding body, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), last week announced its 2011 program and development grants, and postgraduate scholarship…
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The cocoa in chocolate may be good for your health but the sugar and fat in it are counter productive. Peter Pearson

Treat or treatment? Chocolate is good but cocoa is better for your heart

By Karin Ried

A systematic review and meta-analysis of previous cohort studies on the effects of chocolate consumption has found that chocolate may be linked to a reduction in the risk of developing heart disease. The…
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The epidermal electronic system can measure your vital signs in a completely unobtrusive way. John A. Rogers

Tattoo you: the stick-on medical revolution

By James Heathers and Andrew Kemp

When you think of tattoos you probably imagine bikies, celebrity tats or that Japanese flourish on your left foot that means “Honour” (or so you think). You probably don’t picture medical revolution…
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Bariatric surgery has a dramatic effect on diabetes and other heart disease risk factors. Bariatric Solutions/www.mybariatricsolutions.com

Bariatric surgery: new paradigm in type 2 diabetes management?

By Paul Zimmet, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute

Type 2 diabetes is the fastest growing epidemic worldwide. By 2020, it is expected to be the number one disease in Australia in men and second only to breast cancer in women. Treating this illness has…
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Heart attacks damage important muscles but now scientists think that a special protein can awaken the stem cells that grow new muscles. Flickr

Fixing a broken heart with stem cells

By Sunanda Creagh, The Conversation

Vital heart muscles damaged during cardio arrest can be replaced by stem cells within the organ with the help of a special protein, scientists have discovered. Heart attacks cause dangerous damage to…
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People who exercise have a smaller risk of heart attacks despite larger salt intake. lululemon athletica/flickr

Sodium study should be taken with a large pinch of salt

By Bruce Neal, George Institute for Global Health

A recent article has questioned received wisdom regarding the adverse impact of salt on health. Unfortunately, naïve researchers and journal editors looking to stir up a controversy are confusing this…
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People in the developing world are more likely to have lifestyle and infectious diseases. AAP

How to combat the deadly epidemic of lifestyle disease

By Rob Moodie, University of Melbourne and Kate Taylor, University of Melbourne

On Sunday, China banned smoking in public places such as restaurants, bars and other indoor spaces. But a lack of public understanding about the dangers of smoking in the nation of 300 million smokers…

Research and News (2)

Research Briefs (8)

Call for stroke treatment review

Cerebrovascular Diseases

Doctors are under-utilising crucial medication to prevent deadly strokes in those with a common type of heart condition…

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